iPad

From the latest news to the most comprehensive tutorials, learn how to get the most out of your iPad with our step-by-step guides and expert tips.

Top iOS apps go free ahead of App Store’s 5th anniversary

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 27, 2019

As noted by several iDB readers, a handful of high profile iOS games and apps have gone free ahead of what could be a major celebration in honor of the App Store's fifth anniversary. Apple recently sent out timeline posters to major media outlets signaling the July 10 milestone.

Among the apps spotted thus far, believed to be a part of the promotion, are Chair's widely popular swipe-to-fight action title Infinity Blade II and Native Instruments' Traktor DJ for iPad—neither of which has ever been offered for free. You'll find a full list of the deals after the fold...

Add tactile feedback to your iPad using the Fling joystick

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 23, 2018

A child of the console revolution, there is nothing better than tactile feedback when gaming. None of these new age children know the feeling of a Game Boy D-Pad. Instead they are stuck with slick screened iPod touches, where the most tactile feedback they will feel is the orange peel rubberized drag of a ZAGG invisibleSHIELD. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of iOS gaming, but there is just something more than nostalgic about tactile feedback.

Some day, not in the near future, Apple will finally include haptic feedback in their screens courtesy of a Senseg-like interaction between the screen and electrons on the finger. However, until then, we are stuck. In an effort to match the desires of similar tactile fans, Ten One Design provides the Fling analogue joystick for iOS devices...

iPad tops customer satisfaction in South Korea

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 4, 2013

In what could only be described as a one-two punch to Samsung of South Korea, Apple's iPad has now been named the top tablet in the country's National Customer Satisfaction Index. Just yesterday, you'll remember, the iPhone beat Samsung in Quality Insights customer satisfaction rankings in the Galaxy maker's home territory.

The National Customer Satisfaction Index by the South Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy gave the Apple tablet the #1 ranking for the third consecutive year since the program's inception in 2010, praising the ecosystem of apps tailored specifically for the iPad, along with an "excellent touch user experience"...

Turtle Shell, a go-anywhere Bluetooth boombox

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated January 2, 2017

True to its name, the Turtle Shell is weather resistant and can take a beating. Not all Bluetooth speakers can say the same. Designed by Outdoor Technology, the dust and shock proof unit is also water-resistant for those nights by the pool or occasional rainstorm.

Producing "Stuff you probably want" is the pride and driving mantra for this group of easy going devs. The pyramid triangular design and bold colors give Turtle Shell a unique design that is modern and appealing. When using it in the office, several passersby stopped just to comment on the aesthetic and one of my office mates even took it home for a party. But, according to Outdoor Tech, inside is the last place you should be using their wireless boombox...

Skyhook says Google bad-mouthed its Wi-Fi location tech to Apple

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 3, 2013

It's nearly unthinkable: a technology firm bad-talking a rival to a prospective customer. That's the heart of the latest claim by a location services company suing Internet giant Google for alleged patent infringement.

Skyhook Wireless is asking a court to compel Google to turn over documents showing co-founder Sergey Brin spoke badly of SkyHook's GPS location technology. As part of a recent court filing, Skyhook charges Brin told Apple co-founder Steve Jobs that the iPhone maker could do better if it went with Google...

Boston University could reap $75M in Apple patent infringement suit

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 3, 2013

Boston University (BU) could reap $75 million in a patent-infringement lawsuit filed against Apple Tuesday. The lawsuit centers on a patent filed in 1995 by a university professor which the school charges is used by the iPhone 5, iPad and MacBook Air.

The university has filed eight "identical" lawsuits against other device makers, including Samsung and Amazon. To bolster its argument that Apple should pay, the school is set to claim it is already receiving licensing fees for using the patent, according to a local report...

iOS 7 hints at growing interest in Apple pre-release software

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Whenever Apple releases new software, consumers rush to give it a try. Now the average Apple user wants in on pre-release software once the domain only of developers and others paid to ensure everything is in order.

There has been such interest in the changes made to iOS 7 that this so-called 'beta' software is being adopted at a faster pace than test versions of iOS 6, one company noted Tuesday.

More than twice as many iPhones are online with the beta version of iOS 7 than was the case when the pre-release version of iOS 6 was made available to developers, according to a company which optimizes websites for mobile users.

Why the heightened interest in software declared not ready for mass use? How is Apple responding to this trend?

iOS apparently grabbed nearly 75 percent of mobile ad market in May

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated May 3, 2017

As we've noted in the past, Apple has the unique ability to have products outnumbered by Android, yet excel in areas which count - like advertising. The latest case in point is a study finding nearly 75 percent of mobile ads are served to Apple's iDevices.

By contrast, Android's share of the mobile ad market is decreasing with Samsung's Galaxy S smartphones delivering barely any ad impressions, according to figures released by a mobile ad company...

Real Racing 3 Prestige update adds Mercedes-Benz and Bentley vehicles, more

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 2, 2013

Developer Firemonkeys and publisher Electronic Arts thus far issued two major content updates to Real Racing 3, enriching the experience by adding hundreds of new events along with an assortment of new vehicles.

Today, the dynamic duo released a third tentatively named 'Prestige' update along the same lines. If you're a fan of high-speed racing games, the Prestige update should make you happy.

The content pack features some high speed cars from Mercedes-Benz and Bentley, more than 180 new events, twilight racing and the highly requested Time Trial mode. I've included more information and a video after the break...

iPhone leads customer satisfaction in Samsung’s home turf of South Korea

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 2, 2013

There's nothing like winning over your competitor's hometown audience. Apple, accustomed to topping nearly every customer satisfaction survey, must take particular pleasure in being named best by smartphone owners in South Korea, home of rival Samsung.

The survey found even a year after purchase, iPhone owners were more satisfied overall, as well as happy with the repair experience. Customer satisfaction is an often-cited metric by Apple CEO Tim Cook, a quality in which some see him well-suited...

Netherlands ‘Steve Jobs Schools’ to heavily use iPads in classrooms

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 2, 2013

Nearly a dozen schools will open in August in the Netherlands, the educational day centered around the products produced by the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs. In what creators call 'Steve Jobs schools,' children 4-12 years old will use iPads in place of textbooks and the role of teacher is turned into a 'learning coach,' according to a German magazine.

These concept schools also replace the usual structured classroom with learning tied to students's individual learning pace. Still, educators insists children in the schools won't always be in front of screens, allowing kids to be kids...

Apple patents smart bezel display

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 2, 2013

Apple may have found a way to maximize display space for touch input while minimizing the size of wearable devices such as the long-rumored iWatch. What's more, the innovation could be thanks to Kodak, a photography pioneer which Apple's iPhone and other smartphones, largely put out of business.

In a patent granted Tuesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple describes a touch-sensitive bezel that surrounds a device's main display. The smart bezel is able to offer users additional space for a display area or even cover portions of a display, providing greater flexibility...